United in the Fight Against Cancer

Cancer Research and Patient Care in WNY Gets a Big Boost

Saturday, June 23, 2012

(BUFFALO, NY) The more than 10,000 Supporters of The Ride For Roswell, including riders, volunteers, patients and survivors, closed out the 17th annual fundraiser with a great sense of pride today knowing that they raised enough to fund 25 lifesaving cancer research studies and 30 patient care programs and bring Roswell Park Cancer Institute a significant step closer to fully funding a new building that will house a new breast center and chemotherapy clinic. The two-day event at the University at Buffalo’s North Campus on Friday and Saturday raised $3.7 million for cancer research and patient support programs.

“Now in its 17th year, The Ride For Roswell has become one of Upstate New York’s premier cycling events thanks to our thousands of committed volunteers and hardworking staff who are tightly united in one mission: To raise awareness and critically needed funds for Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s life-saving research and patient care programs,” said Roswell Park President & CEO Donald L. Trump, MD, FACP. “Supporting our dream of a world without cancer requires a huge investment and, more and more, we turn to our community and events like The Ride for Roswell to raise the funds we need to move us closer to that dream.”

Proceeds from The Ride have a significant impact. Last year, they were used to launch 23 scientific studies that showed the greatest potential to discover cancer cures and save lives and 30 quality-of-life programs to make cancer treatment more bearable for the patients and families that come through the doors at Roswell Park. Funding this year will again go toward research and patient programs but will also close the funding gap for the new Clinical Sciences Center. The state-of-the-art building will provide the additional space needed to serve Roswell Park’s growing patient base and will reduce wait times for these life-saving services.

More than 8,000 cyclists took part in one of ten routes, ranging from 3 miles to 104 miles in length. Riders traveled from across Western New York and from as far away as South Korea to take part. New this year, a Ride Opening Ceremony was held the evening before The Ride to honor and celebrate cancer patients, survivors and those who have lost a battle with cancer. The event featured remarks by cancer research advocate and former Buffalo Bills linebacker Chris Spielman and a live concert by Grammy winner Rick Springfield.

The mission of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. RPCI, founded in 1898, was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.